It’s quite common for an idea to spring up that brings forth a new surge of excitement inside the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu community. These ever-growing possibilities produce many avenues for individuals in chasing their grappling dreams which in hand contributes to the evolution of our sport itself for future generations.

Setting in motion a new trend in his region of Washington with the establishment known as the ”Chess On The Mat" BJJ Submission Championships creator Michael Proctor hopes to give practitioners a new experience in competing that all those training in the Northwest will certainly benefit from.

BJJ Legends got the opportunity to speak with Proctor as he touches on his journey as a grappler into creating the event and exclusive details on what makes this tournament one of its kind.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your BJJ background?

Michael Proctor: I’m a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Marcello C. Monteiro. I started training in 2001 and I’ve been training full-time since 2005. As a Blue Belt I basically started waking up and going to sleep on the mats. BJJ is all I do. I received my Black Belt November of 2012. I’m currently the Head Instructor at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Tacoma.